Tutors, teachers & Co
Let's voice their point of view
December 14, 2006
| Tutors and teachers from some of the most representative fashion schools reveal their expectations and attitude towards teaching and mentoring students. Genuine motivation is a common thread and passion seems to be a prerequisites, for all students, which cannot be taught, as well as creativity and, of course, talent. From our ITS network, here are some thoughts ... I) DANMARKS DESIGNSKOLE, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK ANNE MERETE OHRT - HEAD OF FASHION DEPARTMENT II) FASHION INSTITUTE ARNHEM, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS ANGELIQUE WESTERHOF, COFOUNDER AND DIRECTOR III) POLIMODA, FLORENCE, ITALY DIANE BECKER, HEAD OF ACCESSORY DESIGN DEPARTMENT IV) ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART, LONDON, UK HEATHER HOLDFORD, SENIOR TUTOR V) SHENKAR SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND DESIGN, TEL AVIV, ISRAEL RACHEL BERMAN HADARI, EXTERNAL LIASON COORDINATOR |
1. What cannot be taught to students? ANNE: Passion and dedication and way of lifestyle, which cannot be taught - but must be felt or wanted. ANGELIQUE: The one thing you can't teach a student is genuine talent. DIANE: I suspect that given the right teacher and infinite access to experience, nearly everything can be taught, given the crucial desire and willingness to learn on the part of the student. Proactive receptivity, innate passion, and intuitive aesthetics are native qualities that can be nurtured, but not implanted. HEATHER: You can teach anyone anything if they are willing to learn. RACHEL: Talent, curiosity and creativity are god given presents. All the rest can be taught ... 2. What do you think makes a great teacher? ANNE: Difficult in 2 lines - but supporting the students individual talent and pushing them to the limit is (some of it). ANGELIQUE: I think a great teacher is someone who is capable of putting his or her own ego aside, blend with the student in front of him/her , and understand the needs for very personal development of that student before he or she does. Also it is someone who is always curious about his or her student, knows how and when to push or stand still, when to be tough or be understanding and generous. DIANE: A great teacher is able to facilitate the student's leap from learning/knowing 'how-to', to new intuitive creative expression. A great teacher is willing to not know the 'right' answer, but be able to find the right question to unlock the student's unique response. A great teacher inspires confidence in the student to explore new solutions, and is passionately curious to discover new talent. HEATHER: Inspiration, knowledge, experience, commitment, encouragement, enthusiasm, passion. RACHEL: Experience, patience, generosity and passion. |
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3. What would you change about the education system? ANNE: We just changed 3 years ago to a more academic system where design theory has become of more importance, we need a rest now - and within the 5 years at our school you have all possibilities to  end up good. ANGELIQUE: I hope we can defend the more personal, tailormade approach within the education system, we want to show people how they can teach themselves in the long run since learning is a lifelong awareness. DIANE: The expectations of standardization as appropriate formation. HEATHER: Re-introduce state funding for students. RACHEL: We would love to have more integration and fusion between areas of study (i.e. art, history,design). 4. What would you say is special about your school? ANNE: Denmark is democratic and without hierachy - the tone is easy-going both between colleagues and students. And we have very good and fully equipped workshops, which are famous. ANGELIQUE: The very individual approach. DIANE: Polimoda is strongly rooted in the special resources of the unique local culture of excellence. Highly skilled artisan craft produces materials and techniques which are explored, reinvented, and recombined in new and unexpected ways as contemporary expressions of design, marketing and communication in a highly international context. HEATHER: We maintain very high standards and have an excellent success rate in placing graduates in industry globally. We attract students from all over the world which creates a good cultural mix. RACHEL: - Broad cultural base in the curriculum - Integration with science, technology and engineering, which also means plenty of leading equipment - Great contacts with the industry, extensive internship program in Israel and outside - Dedication of the Faculty staff |
